Apparatus for applying fastening devices to and for envelopes, &amp;c.



' W. MCHARDSON. APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FASTENING DEVICES TO AND FOR ENVELOPS, 8w.- MPLICATION FILED MAY 10. l9l6.

LQBA1SW Patented Dec. 3, 1918.

6 SHEETS-SHEEI l.

W. RICHARDSON.

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FASTENING DEVICES TO AND FOR ENVELOPS, &c.

' APPLICATION .I-ILED MAY10. I9I6.

:1 I I; Patented 136 6.3,1918.

6 SHE-ETS-SHEEI 21 W. RI CHARDSON. I APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FASTENING DEVICES' TO AND FOR ENVELOPS, 8w.

APPLICATION FILED NIAYNO. ms.

Patehted Dec. 3. 1918.

6 SHEETS -SHEEK 3.

,&c. 7

Patented Dec. 3

6 SHEETS APPLICATION FILED MAY I0, I9I6- w. RICHARDSON. APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FAST ENING DEVICES TO AND FOR ENVELOPS Patented Dec. 3

s SHEETS-SHEEX 5 I W. RICHARDSON. APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FASTENING DEVICES TO AND FOR ENVELOPS, lic.

APPLICATION FILED MAY'IO. 1916.

Patented Dec. 3, 1918.

. equipping'commercial packages, envelops,

WALTER RICHARDSON, on NEW YORK, N. Y., AssIGNon TO HENRY 'rnnNcI-IAnD, an,

. l a or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

' APPARATUS non APPLYING FASTENING DEVICES TO AND non nN-vnLors, &e.

rascals.

To all whom it may concern: I Be it known that I, WALTER RICHARDSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Applying Fastening Devices to and for Env'elops, &c., of Which the following is a specification.

- My improvements relate to means for and the like, with fastening devices of the class in which a pronged eyelet clasp, on the receptacle part, is used in conjunction with a perforation formed for its reception, on the flap, tosecure thelatter in closed relationship to said receptacle part in; a manner now well known in the art,the flap perforation being ordinarily reinforced by annular washers or patches applied to opposite sides of the flap,.and one of said annular reinforcing patches, the one on the outside of the flap, frequently bearing an im print. These results have heretoforebeen attained by the use of three separate machines," involving three separate handlings or manipulations, also necessitating transfer -from one machine to another. and involving considerable waste of time and effort. to say nothineof the initial cost of three machines, and of the power consumed in running them.

It is the mainrobject of my invention to conserve time. labor. and energy in this resnect, while-rendering the service more effic ent bv accomplishing all three functions referred to at a single operation as hereinafter set forth. the invention consisting in the specific combination. con truction and arrangcme' tof parts described and cla1me(l the dis lnctlve feature being the assembling and cotirdinating in one apparatus of means for simultaneously feeding and securing the prone'ed evelet clasp to the envelop. perforatina and reinforcing the flap, and imprinting thereon when required.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1, is a front elevation of the apparatusj Fig. 2, is an end elevation thereof;

Fi 3. is a plan thereof;

Fig. 4, is-what may be designated as a front view of t c feed hopper, channel. etc., as they are positioned in the machine so that the open face of the feed channel is in full 5 view of the operator;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Fig. 5, is an elevation, partly in section, 1

taken at right angles to Fig. 4;

Patented Dec. 3, i918.

Application filed May10, 1916. Serial No. 96,693. i 1 I Fig. 7,is a perspective view of one of the relief gates provided at the lower end of the feed channel;

Fig.8, is a perspective view of the vfeed check lever or gate escapement;

Fig; 9, a view upon a larger scale of the lower part of the feed channel partly broken away and in section to show the operation of the feed check or escapement;

Fig. 11, is a perspective view of the clip rest at the bottom of the feed channel:

per return guard:

etc:

Fig. 17. is a horizontal section taken upon line 1717.'Fig. 14. but on a smaller scale; Fig. 18. is a perspective view of the adjustahle foot or bracket on which the feed channel standard is supported;

Fig. 16, is a top view of the feed hopper,

Fig. 10, is a transverse section taken upon plane of line 10--10, Fig. 9;

Fig. 15, is a perspective view of the hop- Fig. 19. is a perspective view of the adjustahle bearing for the outer nd of the rotatahlo feed hopper shaft; Fig. 20. is a plan of the operative parts which act directlv upon the envelop;

Fig. 21. is a sectional elevation taken upon plane of l ne 20-90. Fig. 20;

Fig. 22. is a sectional elevat on, full size, illustrating the relat ve positions of the di s. otc.. prior to action;

Fig. 23. is a similar view illu tratinn the 1 action of the patch cuttinq and applying (lies. and also that of the printing die;

Fig. 24. is a horizon al section taken upon pla eof l ne 2323. Fiat. 22;

Fig. 25. is a perspective view of the impr nt the block: 1

Fig. 26. is a perspective view of the antifric ion printing platen plate;

Fig. 27, is a View of a portion of an, en 7 velop flap showing an imprint on the outer reinforcing patch;

' Fig. 33, is a sectional view of an envelop flap formed with a prong-receiving opening reinforced by patches;

F ig.,3t, is a view of a portion of the right hand or outside patch strip after being subjected to the action of the, patch dies and printing die and the ejector punch;

Fig. 35, is an elevation of the envelop feed gage table and its adjustable supports, showing an envelop-i in position thereon, and

showing by dotted lines the table in an inclined positionf Fig. 36, ahorlzontal section and plan on a smaller scale taken upon plane of'line se 3e, Fig.

, scrapers used on the in Figs. 39, and 40;

Fig. 37, is a perspective View of the envelop gage, detached;

ig. 38, is an elevation of the reinforcing patch strip feed mechanism, taken on the left side thereof; a

Fig. 39, is a front elevation thereof; Fig. 40, is a sectional detail on a larger scale taken upon plane of line &0-40, Fig,

Fig. 41, is a horizontal section taken upon plane of line ll 41, Fig. 38;

Fig. 42, is an isometrical view of one of the patch strip feed guards;

ig. l3, is an isometrical view of one of the feed rollers as shown Fig. 44, is an enlarged detail of the feed rolls, ratchet, and hand lever;

Fig. 45, is an elevation, partly in section,

of the power clutch mechanism;

Fig. 46, is a transverse section upon plane of line 4646, Fig. 45.;

Fig. 47, is a detail view of the cam portion of the clutch sleeve;

Fig. 48, is a detail view of the inner or free end of tha feed cam lever;

Fig. 49, is asetional detail upon a larger scale thanFig. 48, of certain parts of the eyelet-riveting punch; j-

Fig. 50, is a sectional detail taken" upon plane of line 50-50, Fig. 29, showing means for effecting the lateral horizontal adjustment of the eyelet-riveting patch;

F 1g. 51, is a perspective view of the open end of an envelop after treatment by my apparatus;

Fig. 52, is a view like unto Fig. 9, on the formed with jaw with, the bolt 6, (which may same sheet of drawings, showing the reverse position of the clip escapement and the release doors open, the latter hav ng been omitted fromv Fig. 9, except as indicated therein in dotted lines.

In the drawings a, (1, represent the basic frame or table of the machine supported on legs a, a. Looking from the front of the apparatus, as in Fig. l, the cam shaft C, may be said to extend transversely across the table a, being mounted in bearings a, a, and being held against longitudinal movement by the cams G, G which abut against the inner sides of said bearings a", a, and act, in this respect, as retaining collars on the cam shaft C, for the purpose designated.

Upon the right extremity of the cam shaft C, is loosely mounted a power pulley 1, the hub of which is formed with an annular groove 7), within which rests a detent c, mounted upon a collar 0, rigidly-secured on the end of the shaft C. Thus the detent 0, allows the power, pulley P, to rotate freely on the shaft C, while holding it against longitudinal movement thereon.

Splined to the shaft O, as shown in Fig. 46, so as to be slidable thereon longitudinally between the right hand bearing a, and the power pulley P, is the clutch sleeve 0, teeth 0 for engagement with corresponding jaw teeth p, on the left hand side of the hub of the power pulley P. In Fig. 45, to which reference may be had for a clear understanding of the power clutch mechanism, the jaw teeth a, and p, are shown in solid lines as out of engagement because the clutch sleeve 0*, is retracted.

against the resistance of the compressible spring c, which is seated in a recess formed for its reception in the lower part of the journal bearing a", and which tends con-. stantly, by its action on the plunger 0 to thrust the clutch sleeve 0 into engagement with the hub of the power pulley P, to thereby rotate the cam shaft C. The clutch sleeve 0*, is held in its retracted position by a spring latch or bolt 7), which engages normally with an annular shoulder on the clutch sleeve 0 but which, when withdrawn by the depression of the foot pedal or tread B, acting through the medium of the connecting rod 1), and rock lever 6 (against the resistance of the rctractile spring 6 see Fig. 2 on which the bolt I), is mounted, releases the elutch sleeve to the impulse of the compression spring a". When the foot pedal B, .is released the spring 6 returns the treadle and'connections to normal position be in the form of a roller) again protruding into the path of the cam portion 0 of the clutch sleeve shoulder a. so that by its continued rotation with the shaft C, the cam sleeve 0 will force itself out of the power pulley P,-thereby releasing the of engagement with the hub raaaaia shaajo, until the needle is again a pressed to release the clutch sleeve and effeet another cycle of operation,-it being understood of course, that theapparatus is practically at-restwhile a finished envelop is being removed and anothersubstituted,

hand that. the treadle B, is depressed only Wh'en'a new envelop is in position for treatmeat. When at, rest in normalposition the bolt b, cont'acts with a shoulder c, adjacent to the apex of-the'cam'portion 5 of the clutch sleeve 6*, as shown-in Fig. 47;

" -"The left end of the camshaft C, is pro- I vided with a-hand. wheel 0 to facilitate the 115 turning and manipulation of the shaft and earns for any reason when the clutch sleeve e \is ln'ot in engagement with the hub of thejpowerpulley P,as for the purposes of inspection, cleaning dies, etc. In such case the clutch sleeve qfiis positively held out of engagement with the hub of the power pulley'by a cotter pin 0, inserted through a hole 03 drilledi'n the clutch sleeve 0*, and

intoengagementwith a hole 0 in the cam shaft as shown in Fig. 46, orv by any other mechanical expedient. The hand wheel 0 is made of such Weight 1 and proportion as also to act as a fly wheel I :to steady and complete the rotation of the cam shaft.

The combined function of the apparatus as heretofore intimated, is, at one cycle of operation, to punch a clip prong receiving hole in an envelop flap and apply thereto around said hole an inner patch to the inner side of the flap and an patch die I, and the clip eyelet rivet punch R; the cam Cflactuates through the medium of the cam lever D the outer patch die K, and the imprint or type di'e N; while the cam C 'actuates, through the medium of the t-am lever D the ejector punch 'E,

which punches the centralv clip hole through L both reinforcing patches and through the envelop flap'after they are applied thereto, and then effects the ejectment of this cen-* tral' waste through the inner patch die I, as

hereinaftenmore fully set forth.- TheQcam' levers I), D D areof the second order, being fulcrumed. to the table a, at their rear extremities, as at d, d 01?, the power being applied to their medially positionedcam pins which protrude into t e respective grooves of the camsC, C f, and being" transnntted by the outer or front ends of reinforcing said cam levers, as above intimated, t0 the 1 patch dies I, K, printing plunger N, and

punches R, E. a a

A fourth cam C, also, rigidly attached to the camshaft C, is the patch strip feed camwhich actuates the mechanismby which the patch strips ,9, s", are drawn. through the pparatus. The' patch strips 8, 8', as

8 one side of each ofwhich is coated with an adhesive which is molstened prlor to the feeding of the strips to the patch dies 1, K, E, and on opposite sidesof an envelop a flap f, inserted between them, theaction of the dies severing a reinforcing ring 8', from each strip 8, s and applying them to the envelop flap f, with the result shown ordinarily used consist of ribbons of paper in Fig. 33. Thus, as shown in the drawings, j spools of patch ribbon paper ,9, 8 are mounted on spindles a, a, projecting from a cross bar a attached to the front legs of the machine, and from these spools a, the patch ribbons or strips .9", 8 are fed to and over idler rollers g, g, which moisten the adhesive on the inner side of each strip, the

moistening rollers being partially immersed in water (as shown onthe right of Fig. 21) t contained in pansor holders g g suspended from the bed a, of the apparatus upon brackets a a", g, g, are covers to protect the receptacles g gfifrom extraneous matter. It is obvious that if ungummd strips s, s are used, the adhesive may bet I applied by theidler rollers g, g,a liquid adhesive being substituted for the water. s

paper strips 8, s pass up through slots From the moistening rollers g, g, the

(17,0 in the bearings i 6, as shown in Figs. 21, to 24, inclusive, to the tension for warding rolls (i (Z which'pullthe patch strips 8', a, through the apparatus, discharging the waste reinforcing patches s, a, have been from which. I a the unched the stri s s s conver in as they pass to and between said tension forwarding rolls (Z d, (as shown in Figs 39 and 40) from which they pass out through the guards at, d, which prevent the waste 8*, from following and winding around the peripheries of said forwarding rolls d d The strip 8', passes. through a guide a which prevents it from, contacting with the vother strip '8 until they converge to the rollers alf, d, as above stated. The shafts of the'forwarding rollers 01, d

arelinounted in a rectangular frame a, forming the upperportion of the'standard a ",--rigidly securedto theloase'or table a, to

which standard a, the strip guide a", above. referred to is also rigidly atta! lied. The journals of the lower l'oll d, have fixed bearings, but the journals of the upper roll (i rest in vertical slots at", in the side members 9f the frame a", (as shown in the case of one In Figs. 1, and 40) and are held down by elastic resilient pressure so as to tendconstantly to maintain peripheral contact be-Q tween the rolls (i 11", while allowing the upper roll all, to accommodate itself to the combined thickness of the patch strips .9, 8 when inserted between said forwarding rolls. The lower roll 03 is intermittently rotated positively at e a ch revolution of the cam shaft 0, a perlpheral spaceequivalent to the distance between the centers of adjoining circular openings 3, formed in the strips 8, s, by the removal of the reinforcing patches 8 so that the feed is uniform and automatic. This automatic intermittent rotation of the'forwarding rollsd (Z is effected by means of a ratchet wheel d, actuated by a pawl d,the two rolls d, d", being made to rotate in unison by intermeshing gears d,

' d attached to their respective shafts as will V ported on the bifurcated standard a,

as a preliminary to starting the machine; or.

be seen more particularly by reference to Fig. 38. The pawl a, is attached at its lower extremity to the inner-free end of a cam lever D which is pivotally supported at its other end upon a bifurcated standard 04 on the frame bed a,'as seen more particularly in Figs. 2, 3, and 38. The cam C, is of the peripheral type, having the eccentric portion 0 by which the cam lever D is raised, and the depression 0 with which the free end of the detent D engages as shownin Fig. 38, when the rest,said detent- D, being pivotally supand having a compression spring (i interposed between its outer end and the table a. The function of the detent D is to prevent back rotation of the cam shaft C, under all circumstances.

The ratchet wheel 01, may be also actuated independently of the pawl d, by a small hand lever d, fulcrumed on the shaft of the roll (Z and provided with a spring pawl a (see more particularly Fig. 44c) which, when said lever d, is depressed, pulls over said ratchet wheel 03, rotating the rolls (i d, sufficiently to facilitate the introduction by hand of the waste strips 8", between the rolls the hand pawl lever d, may be utilized for the purpose of advancing the feed of patch strips 8, 8 if rendered desirable for any reason during the use of the apparatus. Each roll 03*, d is provided with a scraper d", by which it is kept free of gum, fiber. etc.,

' that would otherwise collert thereon.

During the ordinary operation of the machine the cam C in rotating. raises the cam lever D sufficiently to cause the pawl (Z, to advance the ribbons s, 8 one space as hereinbefore set forth. That is to say the thrust of the cam-C is equivalent to the distance between the centers of the reinforcing washers s", s, as severed from the strips 8, 5 The pawl (Z is hinged or articularly attached to the cam lever D, by any mechaniwhich the ribbon parts are at' between collar cal' expedient, as by passing a tongue 1 through a slot in the said lever and securmg same by a cotter pin, as shown in Fig. 48, or otherwise. Said pawl (Z is held in contact with the ratchet wheel d, by spring d, attached to the lever D'.

The bifurcated forward end of the cam lever D, straddles the hollow patch die tube I, which is mounted slida'bly in the bearings 2", and i both of which, in the construction shown in the drawings, form part of the table bracket 2', as will be seen more particularly by reference to Fig. 21, said bracket 2', being secured to rigid extensions a, and a, of the table or base a. The said forward end of the cam lever D, rests between a collar i and a lateral extension arm 5*, both of which are rigidly attached to the die tube I. The inner end i, of the die tube I, constitutes the male die, which, in conjunction with the female die j, scvers the left hand reinforcing patch from the strip a. The female die 7', is secured to the right hand side of the bearing '5 between which and the inner face of said female die 7', is the strip slot 0.", through 8, passes up to the guide a on its way to the forwarding rolls d", d", as before stated.

The right hand or outer patch -die tube K, and the punch and ejector E, in like manner are mounted in axial alinement with the left die tube I, in and between bearings c, e, forming part of the front bracket 6 supported rigidly on front extensions a, a, of frame base a. To the left 01' inner side of the bearing 0, is fastened the female die m, which. if, of the tube K, effects the severing of the patch a, from the portion of the patch strip 8 in the strip slot a, and its transfer to the outer side of the envelop flap f. By reference to Fig. 23, it will be noted that the two male dies z'*. and 7c", act in conjunction to simultaneously press the patches just severed from the strips 8, 8 against thecnvelop flap'f, each die acting as an anvil for the other in this respect. The forward or work stroke of the right hand die tube K, is effected by the bifurcated outer end of the cam lBVeP'D which straddles said tube K, nuts 70, is, adjustable upon the threaded portion k of said tube K, as indicated particularly in Figs. 20, and 21. As before stated the right, hand die tube K, is hollow. being formed with the axial bore in which the operative end c". of the punch ejector E. is slidably supported. The punch E, e". is actuated by the cam lever D,

the forward bifurcated end of which stradin conjunction with the male die end from eachbeing, as a wad, forced into the wads.

Laeaaia opposite sides of the envelop flap f, and are held there by and between the opposed faces of the male dies i", 7%, as shown in Fig. 23. Under these conditions the working thrust of the punch a, (the hollow end of the male die z'flin this case acting as a female die for the time being) punches all three thicknesses of paper, 2'. 6., the patch a, the envelop flap f, and the patch 8', the severed material longitudinal axial channel 11 (as indicated in Fig. 28) from theouter end of which it is finally ejected by the accumulation of wads from succeeding operations of the punch e, which thus obviously also performs the function of an ejector. The discharge channel 71 is made one thirty second of an inch larger in diameter than the cross section of the punch a to afford clearance for the Rigidly securedto the K, is the block N,upon which the print plunger N is rigidly mounted, said plunger extending below the die tube K, and parallel therewith. The distance between the axes of the die K, and of the plunger N, is

equal to that of the intermittent feed of the patch strips, so that the center of the imprint a, made by'the type die M, will coincide with that of the next patch a, to be severed from the patch strip 8 Hence it will be seen that at each working stroke or thrust of the right hand die tube K, and ejector punch E, a patch 8 will not only be severed and applied to-the outer side of the envelop flap f, but that the imprint n, for the next succeeding outside patch a, will also be made. This is illustratedin Fig. 34, in which a ortion of the patch strip a, is shown wit the holes 8 made by the removal of preceding patches, the patch 8,

just severed being shown as still in relative position, while the imprint n, made by the type die 02?, for the next succeeding patch is shown below. The finished and applied patch .9, is also shown in Fig. 27.

The letters or characters a, to be im'- printed on the outer patch 8, are preferably made on an intaglio die n?, formed with a shank fitting into a mortise formed for its reception in the end of the plunger N, or otherwise constructed to be dctachably connected, so that different dies a, may be substituted for different runs of work according to, requirements.

" The inking for the imprint is done by means of a ribbon (7, similar to those used in type writing machines, and fed'intermittently in an analogous manner. Thus the ribbon q, passes from the supply spool 9',

(Fig, 20).mounted on top of the bracket arm a, through the horizontal slot or recess e, inthe bearing 6, and in front of the print die 01 (see particularly Flg. 24) to the take right hand die tube fact that the ummed si up spindle 9 mounted upon a pin e ,on a forward extension 2', of the bracket e upon which the outer, patch die tube K, and

upon the spool q, the spring detent g, is

held from contact with-ratchet g and the spool g, is re-wound by means of ahandle v or equivalent 9".

- The lower part of the plate in, in which the female die m, is mounted performs the function of a bed or platen against which the imprint die n acts but, owing to the de of the patch strip 8 is opposed thereto, I prefer to interpose between the plate m, and the said die a", an anti-friction platen plate m shown in perspective in Fig. 26, and in horizontal section in Fig. 24. The distinctive feature of this platen plate m is that it is formed with a relief anvil surface m (annular in the resent case) to oppose the impact of the die W, with the least possible contact with the gummed inner surface of the patch strip 3 the clearance spaces in and around said relief anvil surface on, reducing contact with the strip '8 to the minimum, and therebyprcventing undue and unnecessary strain on the strip in forwarding it by tension through the machine as herembefore described. The plate m may be secured in place by a thumb screw m or other mechanical expedient; and is readily removable for cleaning, substitution to compensate for wear, change in shape of imprint die W, or other reason. This platen plate m is preferably made of brass on account of its well known non-adhesive quality, and also because of its immunity to chemical attack by the ingredients in the adhesive used.

-The support for the anvil o, for the clip riveting or eyelet punch r", is formed by a forward extension of the die plate 9', which is secured to the outer side of the bearing block 11 forming part of the bracket '5, on v which the die -tu e I, is mounted. The means of securing the pronged and eyeletcd clip 6, shown in Fig. 31, to the envelop body f, will be understood most readily by referring to Fig. 29, which shows the relative positions of parts priorto the riveting action, and to Fig, 30, which illustrates the latter H I The eyelet riveting punch R, considered'as a whole, is rigidly mounted on theextehsion arm 71*, heretofore described as rigidly atthrust of the punch R.

or shank r, is further centralized and supported by passing through a bearing plate u, secured rigidly to the back or the lower extremity of the channel standard U, which at this point is formed with a recess n extending through it into which the shank r, of the punch R, protrudes when advanced as shown in Fig. 30. The punch proper, 7 is tubular, and preferably formed by inserting a tube 7, in the drilled end of the shank r, as shown in detail in Fig. t9,-an axial recess 4", of less diameter than the punch tube 1, being also drilled in the shank r, for the com ressible spring 1, which bears upon the hea 'rfl-of the centralizing pin 1'. The diameters of the bore of the punch tube 7 and of the centralizin pin 1", which fits it are less than that of the spring recess 1", so that the inner end of the punch tube r", forms a shoulder against which the head 1*, of the centralizing pin 11', is held normally by the spring 1' said head being of nearly the same diameter as that of the spring recess 1" The function of the centralizing pin 1".

is to support, forward and present the low est clip 2?, in the feed channel 11, to th upsetting die 0, of the anvil 0, during the work This it does by entering the eyelet of the clip 25, and supporting the latter until the end of the centralizing pin 7', contacts with the upsetting die 0,w'hen the continued advance of the punch R, causes the compression spring r'-, to yield to said pin 7", and allow the end of the punch tube 1'", to push the eyelet of the clip through the portion f, of the body of the envelop and against the upsetting die 0'', as illustrated in Fig, 30, and with the result shown in Fig. 32, in a manner well known in the art.

The punch B, may itself be made laterally adjustable and horizontally adjustable upon its supporting arm i*, by resort to any deso that I do not limit myself in this respect, the main object being to furnish means whereby both punch R, and feed channel standard U, may be adjusted alike in position as related to each other and as related to the relatively fixed axial positions of the dies and punch I, K, and E. As shown in the drawings by way of illustration, referring particularly to Figs. 29, 30, and 50, the punch R, is mounted in a split box 2, positioned in a longitudinal rectangular slot 27*, formed for it in said supporting arm i, which is also provided .with binding screws .2, 2. arranged to-contact with the upper half of the box 2, at any position to which the box: may be adjusted in said longitudinal slot 2'.

' The binding screws 2, z, are designed to secure the punch R, rigidly to the supporting arm 7:. i, is a collar upon the punch R, which facilitates the positioning of'the punch accurately upon the arm '27, as related to the hannel standard U.

The fastening clips I, are fed to the rivet punch R, through the channel to, into the upper end of which they are fed by the rotatable conical portion of the hopper V, mounted upon a shaft V, which is journaled in a bearing a, supported upon the upper end of the channel standard U, and in a bearing a, on the upper end of the standard V The bearing i is made adjustable horizontally, toward or from the front of the machine, upon the top of'it-s standard V by any suitable means, as by slots o, v and screw bolts n", as shown in Figs. 16, and 19; and the channel standard U, is made correspondingly adjustable by being mounted near its lower extremity upon a foot piece U, formed with an elongated slot a through which a bolt u pass s to secure the foot piece U, and standard l, adj ustably to the upper side of the bearing F, on the bracket The positions of the Z- toot piece U, and channel standard U, are indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 20, and the foot piece U, in section in Fig. 21.

The object ofpro vision for the horizontal.

adjustment of the eyelet-riveting punch R,

:pid the channel standard U, and bearing 1).

on the standard V is to provide for the changing of these parts with relation to the sired or well known mechanical expedient patch dies I, K, and E, to compensate for variations in length of the envelop flaps to the bodies of which the clip fastening's are to be applied.

The bearing to, for the inner end of the feed shaft V, is formed in a plate V", attached to the uppenend ot the channel standard l said plate V. being formed with a tlat vertical surface r. facing the inner side of the rotatable portion V, of the feed hopper, and with the receiving hopper a. into and through which the clips are dumped into said rotatable hopper V, as will be understood by reference more particularly to Fig. 5.

This figure, as well as Fig. 13, show the manner-in which the rotatable portion V, of the hopper is yieldabh mounted on the inner end of the shaft V. That is to say said portion V is not secured to its shaft V, to rotate positively therewith under all conditions, so that, in the event of a clog or jam in the feed between the face plate V, and said rotatable portion V, of the hopper the latter will cease to rotate with its shaft. V. thereby obviating damage.

This result is attained by mounting; the hub or less tightly against the outer face of the said rotatable conical section V, of the hopper. l lenc'e obviously, said section V, is held to rotate with its shaft V, only by the frictional resistance afforded by the elastic resilient pressure of said. spring a so that when the resistance to rotation with the shaft V, encountered by the conical part V,

is greater than the frictional ,resistance exerted by the spring '0 the otherwise rotatableconical part V, will be held. stationary with. the face plate'V, and consequently the portion '0, of the. shaft V, will,simply slip around within the hub a of said conical part V. Under such conditions it is need- 4 less to say that the conical section V, may be readily loosened upon the shaft V, or

possibly removed, so that the cause of ob struction maybe quickly ascertained and remedied without danger of injury to any part of the apparatus, and without delay or serious loss of time.

y The feed shaft V, is held against longitudinal movement by its shoulder 4:, resting against one side of the bearing a, and by a collar .41 secured to the shaft V, and

resting against' the other side pf said bear ing it, as shown in Figs. 5, and 131 A fixed pulley 42 on the shaft V. fllTOl'dSjl'lGiLIlwhereby the conical section V, of the hopper may be continuously rotated at a moderate speed.

-While I have thus provided as above set forth for any unforeseen obstruction to the operation of the feedhopper I reduce dan ger thereof to the minimum degree by my means for, and method of, feeding'the eyelet clips to the delivery channel a.

By reference to Fig. 12 it will be seen that the inner edge of the conical section V, of the feed hopper is formed with a series 'of equi-distant tangential slots 1: 5.- the open sides of which are opposed to the flat vertical surface o, of the face plate V The shoulder '11, on the shaft V, holds the rotatable section V, so that its slotted edge is positioned, say, one sixteenth of an inch (less than the depth of the eyelets but greater than the thickness of the prongs) from said opposed surface '0 of the face plate V thus creating an annular space a,

- between them sufficient to accommodate the rotation of the conical section V. causes t 12, and shown insolid lines in Figll, by

prongs of the clips :6, but not suflicient to admit the eyelets of the clips, which however arefree to'enter the tangential slots o. As a result of this construction the some of the clips to enter the space 10 with their eyelets projecting into the tangential'slots o, and tobel carried'arounct to the mouth-11 ofthe channel said mouth a beingformed in the face ofthe plate V, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig.

reference to which latter, and to Fig. 13, it will be seen that the mouth u of .the

channel is also formed with, overlapping edges a a, which are continuations of those on the channel u, shown in cross section in F ig. 6. i i

The clips thus forwarded in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 12, drop into the mouth a of the channel a, if there is room therein, otherwise they are carried over, controlled by the overlapping edge a, (see Fig. 14;) to the deflector 'v, by which they are shunted back into the mouths, of the hopper to be returned thereby to the rotatable section V. i i a r The eyelets are supported in the channel it,

until requiredfor use, by thecheck orescapement lever al which 1s of the "rock lever class, pivotally supported at a on the chanuel standard U, and is formed with points it", it, which contact alternately with the eyelets of the clips as they are checked off to the lower part of the channel. When at rest in normal position as shown in Fig. -9, the upper arm 71-, of the escapement lever a7, rests against the side of the channel standard U, while when rockedover into the position shown in Fig. 52, its lower arm it, bears against said channel standard U. The point a", sustains the column of clips in the channel a, above as in Fig. 9, until rocked back into the position shown in Fig. 52, when the point a, sustains the column of slips temporarily until returned tonormal' position as in Fig. 9, such return allowing the lowest clip to drop to its se'at below, while the point a, intercepts the next succeedingclip and thereby again sustains the column of clips above.

The released clip descends fromthe escapemcnt to a seat a, at the bottom of the channel a. This seat a, may be formed directly in the channel standard U, or may be formed in a separate piece u flto be attached rigidly thereto, as may befound most expedient. The seat u flpositions the clip with its eyelet in alinement with the centralrear projections or handles'u tt ,by which they may be manually manipulated when accessis desired to theseatf 11 to remove a defective clip, orto empty the channel for lull any reason,the escapementleveru, being also in like manner preferably provided with a handle or projection u, by which it may be manually manipulated for the latter purpose. 7

To provide for this manual manipulation "of the escapement u, when desired, and also to obviate possibility of damage by the use of rigid positive means of operation, I connect said escapement lever 20 with the cam lever D by means of a coiled spring u, at tached to an extension d, on said cam lever D and to the upper arm at, of the escape- .ment lever u", as indicated in Fig. 40. Thus amply sufficient to operate the escapement without danger to the delicate clips, while admitting also ofthe manipulation of the escapement by hand when desirable, as is frequently the case in the operation of the machine on account of the presence of defective clips in the channel M.

In this connection it may be stated that the channel standard U, is so positioned with relation to the operator, that the clips in the channel u, are always exposed conveniently within the line of vision of said operator so that defective clips may be re moved, or other precautions taken to prevent damage or delay. This is an important practical advantage in the operation of the machine in order to attain the best results therewith.

The envelop feed or'work table V, upon which the envelop F, is positioned for subjection to the several simultaneousoperations hereinbefore set forth, 1s-supportedupon a nut'block w, adjustably mounted upon a vertical screw X, journaled in a pendent bracket X, the upper end of which is attached to the under side of the base or table a. The bracket X, is formed with the two rear extensions :0, w in and between which the adjusting screw X, journaled, said'screw being provided with a. stress collar or, bearing against the upper side of the lower extension 0 andwith a crank 121 on its lower extremity beneath the said extension .22 as will be seen more particularly'by reference to Fig. 35. The vertical member w, of the bracket X, is formed with a longitudinal slot w", (shown in Fig. 21) through which a forward extension .10, of the nut block 'w, protrudes, and on this extension 411', the bifurcated lower end of the leg 'w of the work table W, is'pivotally supported, as at 10 The inclination of the worktable lV, is 'regulated and prescribed by a screw Y, the head 3/, of which rests against and supports the leg 10*, while its upper end engages with a.- female screw thread formed for its reception in the nut plate in", secured to the top of the nut block in. It is obvious that this adjustment of in clination ot' the work table W, may be clfected by the use oi other mechanical expedients with like result,'the object of the adjustment being to compensate for any variation or irregularity in shape of a run of 'envelops, so as to always have the clip fastening t, on the envelop body f, in operative alinement with the reinforced hole a, in the flap f. It the-envelop is perfectly rectangular in shape the work table \V, should be horizontal as shown in solid lines in Figs. 21, and 35, but it frequently happens that a whole batch or run of envelops will be found to be uniformly distorted either through carelessness, imperfection of cutting dies, folding, or the like, in which case the operator of my machine can, by means of the screw Y, quickly and conveniently counteract the defect. In Fig. 35, in which the work table is shown in dotted lines as'inclined. for convenience of illustration the degree of inclination is much exaggerated, but in actual practice the degree oi" inclination called for under ordinary conditions is comparatively slight. Of course the inclination may be set above or below the horizontal according to circumstances, but in any case isto bring the clip eyelet in the body of the envelop into correct central longitudinal alinement with the prong opening in the flap thereof.

The length of the supporting screw X on which the work table W, is vertically adjustable. is suliicient to cover vari:,\tions in width otenvelops of from one to fourteen inches. 4

The position-of the envelop on the work table \V, is prescribed by a gage 'u attached to the-upright flange of a plate w, which is adjustably secured to the top of the table V, by thumb nuts w; ei'igaging screws '11), on the table which, project up through longitudinal slots w", in the gage plate in. as shown in Fig. 36, or by resort to any other prctgrred mechanical expedient. The gage w", is tormed with an inlurned projection or finger 10"". which protrudes into the interior of the envelop, the edge ol" the body portion or mouth of the envelop resting.

when the envelop is properly positioned. in the blght or angle of the gage w, as ludirated in Fig. 35. In this position the (lap f, of the envelop projects in between the die plates 2n. and j, the latter protruding into the open mouth of the envelop so that itstorward portion may be utilized as an anvil support for the eyelet riveting mechanism as hereinbefore set forth, while the v proper portion of the flap is interposed beand described the-use of annular reinforcing patches, dies, etc it is obvious that'other forms. of. patches maybe provided for in like manner, and that various modifications and mechanical expedients may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and intent of "my invention in'this respect.

The operative use of the apparatus is as follows: v

The eyelet riveting punch mechanism having been adjusted to a position in front of the hole punching and patching mechanism at which the axial distance between the two mechanisms is equal to the proper requisite distance between the eyelet clip applied to the body of the envelop and the reinforced prong hole formed for the reception of its prongs on the flap thereof, and the work table W, in a horizontal position, having been vertically adjusted to accommodate the lib yond the patch dies and hole punch. The.

width of the envelop, a trial envelop is positioned on the work table and the gage thereon set to limit and prescribe the dis tance the flap is to protrude between and betreadle is then depressed to release the clutch sleeve on the cam shaft, allowing it to engage with the power pulley to rotate the cam shaft. The treadle being immediately released, the cam shaft will make one revolution and then again come to rest for reasons hereinbefore set forth. During this revolution of-the cam shaft a cycle of actions by the severalmechanisms take place; i. 0., the patch dies remove a circular patch from each patch strip and press them aga nst opposite.

sides of the envelop flap, and the imprint die actsonthe ink ribbon to make the imprint for the next envelop, when the perforating die immediately thereafter punches the central prong opening through both patches and the envelop flap, forcing the severed wad into the discharge passage in the left hand patch die tube, Simultaneously the eyelet riveting punch has advanced, J taken up the eyelet clip at the bottom of the feed channel, and forced its eyelet throughthe opposed portion of the envelop body and against the upsetting die, which turns over and clenches the edges of the eyelet. After the punching of the prong hole in the flap and patches as above stated the patch and print dies and the hole punch retire, when the forwarding cam raises its lever and with fastening on the envelop body it the pawl which rotates the ratchet connected with the strip feed rol'ls thereby drawing the patch strips into position for the next reciprocation of the patch dies and punch. As the forwarding. cam lever is allowed to resume its normal position during the completion of rotation of the said cam, said lever. byits connection wit-h. the escapement lever on the clip feed channel rocks said escapcment so as to check off and release the next succeeding clip in the channel and allow it to descend into position for the next operative stroke of the eyelet-riveting punch. During the retractile movement of the cam lever which actuates the right hand patch die and the imprint die, the spring pawl carried upon the outer end of said lever actuates the ratchet on the ink ribbon spindle to forward said ink ribbon to the camshaft, since the clutch sleeve has automatically detached itself from the power pulley, and the detent lever has again engaged with its notch or'depression in the y the completion of this single revolution of I strlp forwarding cam (OI ll'l-Nftlfil] as soon as i the retractile stroke of the dies and punches has begun) the envelop may be removed and examined. If found to be of imperfect reclack of perfect alinement betweenthe clip prong opening in thefiap thereof, the feedtable is adjusted in. inclination to compensate for such defect, and if the indlcations are that the defect extends through a run or batch of envelops such adjustment may be maintained for the time being. After the proper adjustment of the feed table is thus ascertained the feed to, and operation'of,

.the apparatus may be conducted continuously, though intermittently, -'in that the treadle may be depressed practically as fast considered that there are essentially four operations performed on each envelop treated, to wit, the application of the patches, the punching of the prong hole and the imprint on the flap, and the application of the eyelet clip fastening to the body thereof, it is obvious that a very important saving is eflected in both time and l'abor of manipulation, one handling of the envelop answering for all. I

Incidentally it may be noted that by my special clip eyelet riveting means the eyelet is made to penetrate through the envelop bqdy without previous or preparatory punc- 'tangular shape, which will be indicated by" and the) constituted a separate operation.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

act

1. In apparatus of the character designated, in combination, means for forming and reinforcing a clip-prong hole in the fiapof an envelop, an imprint die movable with and arranged to act in conjunction with said hole forming and reinforcing means, and means for positioning an ink ribbon in front of said imprint die, for the purpose described.

2. In apparatus of the character designated, in combination, means for forming and reinforcing a clip-prong hole in the flap of an envelop, an imprint die movable with and arranged to act in conjunction with said hole forming and reinforcing means, and means for feeding an ink ribbon in front of said imprint die.

. In apparatus of the character desig-' nated, in combination, means for forming and reinforcing a clip prong hole in the flap of an envelop, an imprint die movable with and arranged to act in conjunction with said hole. forming and reinforcing means, and means for automatically feeding an ink ribbon in front of saidimprint die, for the purpose described.

4. In apparatus of the character designated, in combination, a reciprocatory die and a punch for formin and reinforcing a clip hole inan envelop ap, an imprint die rigidly secured to move with said first mentioned die and punch, means for reciprocating said dies and means for feeding an ink ribbon in front of said imprint die, said ink ribbon feed means being actuated by the means for reciprocating the dies.

5. In apparatus of the character designated, in combination, opposed reciprocatory dies and a punch for forming and reinorcin a clip hole in an envelop flap, an imprint ie rigidly secured to reciprocate with one of said hole reinforcing dies, means for reciprpcating the dies thus united to Work in unison, and means for feeding an ink ribbon in front of said imprint die, said ink ribbon feed means being actuated by the means for reciprocating the dies.

6. In apparatus of the character designated, in combination, opposedreciprocatory dies anda punch for forming and reinforcmg a chp hole in an envelop flap, an imprint the rig dly secured to reciprocate with one. of said hole reinforcing dies, means for reciprocating the dies thus united to work in nmsnpp, and means for feeding an ink ribbon in out of said imprint die, said means consisting of an ink ribbon spool and an ink ribbon Winding spindle provided with a ratchet Wheel and detent and actuated by a spring pawl upon the means for reciprocatmg t e dies.

7. In apparatus of the character designated, in combination, mechanism for formmg a clip prong hole in and on the flap of an envelop and reinforcing the same by means of patches stamped from patch strips, and an imprint die movable. Wli'll and acting in unison and conjunction with said hole forming and reinforcing mechanism and arranged to impose an' imprint on a. patch strip in such position thereon as to be included on the next succeeding patch to be severed and applied to the envelop flap.

8. In apparatus of the character designated, in combination, in ans for forming a clip prong hole. in the [lap of an envelop and for reinforcing said hole by means of patches detached from strips of suitable material, and means movable with and acting in conjunction with said holeforming and rcin forcing mechanism for simnllancmisly imposing an imprint on one patch strip, for the purpose set forth.

9. In ap]')aratus of the character desig hated, the combination of a rcciprocatory imprint die, opposed rcciprocatory means for forming and reinforcinga clip hole in an envelop, said imprint die being mounted for movement with one of said first-nan'ied dies, and means for feeding an ink ribbon in front of the imprint die.

10. In apparatus of the characl r dcsignated, in combination, mechanism for formingand reinforcing a prong holc in an envelop flap consisting of opposed patch and punch dies, of a block rigidly attached to one of the dies, :1 plunger mounted thereon in parallelism to the die to which the block is secured, av printing die carried b said plunger, a platen opposed thereto, and nlcnns for passing a patch strip bctwecn said printing die and said platen.

11. In apparatus of the charactcr designated, the combination with mcans for forming and reinforcing a clip-prong hole. and for simultaneouslv making an imprint in connection thcrmvith. the imprint means be ing movable with said forming and rcinl'orcing means, of patch st rip forwarding rolls, and scrapers arranged to remove gum. libcr. etc, from the peripheries of said rolls.

12. In apparatus of the character dcsig natcd. the combination with means for sinmltancouslv forming and rcinlorcing a clipprong hole, making an imprint in connection therewith. and applying a prong clip, the imprint means being movable with said forming and reinforcing means, of a work table provided with an :uljustablc gage formed with an intnrncd and nptnrncd gage finger adaptcd to cuter thc month of an cnvelop. for the purpose described.

13. In a machine for attaching llap lock ing means and reinforcing material to envclops and the like. the combination of means for holding a strip of reinforcing material, means for intermittently advancing the strip to a predetermined extent. means for guidmg a strip. strip printing means. st rip punching means adapted to pun h out the 14. In a machine for attaching flap locking means and reinforcing material to envelops and the like the combination of means .for holding a gummed strip of reinforcing material, means for moistening said.

strip, strip feeding means including coiiperating'rollers adapted to engagesaidfstrip therebetween,- and a. ratchet and pawl to ac tuate said rollers intermittently, means for printing on the strip, including a diemounted'on aiplunger, an ink carrying ribbon disposed in the path of said die, strip guiding means adapted to position the strip to receive an impression from said die and rib bon, and means for feeding the ribbon-intermittently, means for punching out a previously printed portion of said strip, said printing die being movable With and adapt? ed to act in conjunction with said punchmg means,- and means for pressing the 'punche out portion into adhering contact with an envelop or the like.

15. In apparatus of the character desi nated, the combination With means ,fior simu taneously forming and-reinforcing a clippro-ng pole, making an imprintin connection therewith and applying a prong:l clip,"

the imprint means being movable wit said forming and reinforcing means,.-of a work 'table which is adjustable in inclination for the purpose set forth.

16. In'apparatus of the character designated, the combinatiorl with means for simultaneously forming and reinforcing a clip prong hole, making animprint in connection therewith and applying a pron clip, the-imprint means being movable'wit said forming and reinforcing means, of a Work table which is adjustable vertically with relation thereto, and also adjustable in inclination with relation thereto, for the purpose set forth. v WALTER RICHARDSON.

Witnesses:

. DOROTHY -MIATT,' GEO. WM. Mm'r'r. 

